New York Shitty Day Ender: The Unbearable Blightness of Being

As I mentioned previously, the online and offline zeitgeist in north Brooklyn— be it northside, southside or even Greenpoint was on decidedly on the surly side today. I have spent a great deal of my day patiently listening to people complain about one thing or another that pisses them off. Now it is my turn.

218 North 9 Street

I have no idea who inscribed this on the rapidly deteriorating construction fence which graces this site, but he or she hit the nail on the proverbial head. Follows are a few amenities you can find at this property located in the heart of fashionable Williamsburg.

Pockmarked sidewalks and garbage.

LOTS OF GARBAGE.

As the previous photograph indicates, this open air loft has an open door fence policy. Any and all are welcome to come on over, sit a spell and hang their hat.

Or in this case, a coat.

Who wouldn’t want a balcony looking at this?

Or this?

184 North 8 Street

I have written about this site on a number of occasions. They have since sealed off the garage door which had been pried open. With predictable results.

CANT STOP US WELCOME MATE

236 North 7 Street

But Bloomblight isn’t just about derelict lots. Just take this, for example.

The above summons is for a defective sidewalk shed. Somehow the heap of garbage (which includes a suitcase) was overlooked.

And last, but hardly least…

This failed attempt at public safety hails from North 6 Street just west of Wythe Avenue.

Lest I have not made it clear already I strongly believe people respond to the environment around them. This is why I am a big fan of public art— especially in our subway system. Gestures as grand as a mosaic or as simple as keeping public facilities neat and clean send a positive message. The vigilance (or this case, lack thereof) with which our municipal government enforces the laws put in place to preserve our, the citizenry’s, quality of life speaks volumes about their attitude as public servants.

This is unacceptable. No one should have to live with this.

Miss Heather

P.S.: All the above photographs were taken December 14, 2009.